Sjögren's syndrome appears to be associated with a retrovirus
called Human Intracisternal A-Type Particle, or HIAP. Researchers
believe that Sjögren's syndrome may develop in genetically
susceptible individuals who have been infected by HIAP and who might
have been subjected to one or more specific stimuli from internal or
external sources.

Autoimmune Technologies is developing viral protein antibody tests
based on the patented HIAP technology. The Autoimmune Disease Virus
Assay, or ADVA, is one of these tests. The Company believes these
tests will have a high degree of specificity for Sjögren's
syndrome and other HIAP-associated disorders. The tests are still in
the laboratory stage and are not yet generally available for
investigational or clinical use.